The World’s 10 Fastest Trains

From Japan to Morocco to China, these passenger trains travel at speeds of up to 311 miles per hour.

1 minute read

August 14, 2024, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


White Shinkansen high-speed rail train passing through green fields with water and Mount Fuji in background in Japan.

A Shinkansen train passes Mount Fuji in Japan. | munduuk / Adobe Stock

In a slideshow on Jalopnik, Collin Woodard lists the world’s 10 fastest trains — none of which are in the United States.

In Italy, the Trenitalia Frecciarossa 1000 runs at speeds of up to 242 miles per hour. Morocco’s ONCF Al Boraq has a travel speed of 199 mph, with a top speed of 222 mph. Japan’s famous JR Shinkansen also travels at 199 mph, with a top speed of 275 mph.

The top three fastest trains in the world are all in China: the Shanghai Maglev takes the top spot with a travel speed of 286 mph and a top speed of 311 mph.

By contrast, most Amtrak passenger routes have a maximum speed of around 79 mph, with some exceptions like the Acela Express, which can travel at up to 150 mph in some areas. On most routes, the average travel speed is between 50 and 70 mph.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in Jalopnik

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

6 hours ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

7 hours ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

September 16 - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.